This photo taken on Aug. 12, 2024 shows the Drum Tower seen from the Jingshan Hill on the Beijing Central Axis on a sunny day in Beijing, capital of China. (Xinhua/Li Xin)

Apple CEO Tim Cook is visiting Beijing, marking his first trip to China in 2025, as he joins other global executives at the 2025 China Development Forum (CDF) that kicked off on Sunday, which Chinese experts said demonstrates their confidence in China's growth and commitment to its vast market.

Ahead of the forum, Cook shared his photo taken in Beijing's Jingshan Park alongside Chinese entrepreneur Yang Tianzhen on Saturday on Sina Weibo.

Business leaders including Siemens AG CEO Roland Busch, Mercedes-Benz Group Chairman Ola Källenius and BMW Group Chairman Oliver Zipse are set to attend the forum, according to the CDF.

During his trip to China, Cook has also met with singer Henry Lau and said Apple is expanding work with the China Development Research Foundation (CDRF) for education in rural China, according to posts on Cook's Sina Weibo. Apple on Sunday announced an additional donation to the CDRF to expand its rural teacher training program.

Liu Dingding, a technology industry analyst, told the Global Times on Sunday that Cook's frequent visits to China and participation in high-level forums underscore Apple's ongoing efforts to strengthen its presence in the Chinese market, and its commitment to fostering friendly and win-win cooperation with Chinese partners.

Cook made frequent trips to China in 2024, emphasizing the importance of the Chinese supply chain and continued investment in China.

During his trip in November 2024, Cook attended the China International Supply Chain Expo (CISCE) in Beijing, saying that "I am so proud that Apple has an exhibit here with our partners. We could not do what we do without them," the Xinhua News Agency reported.

While visiting Beijing in October 2024, Cook pledged to continue investing in China in areas such as supply chains and research and development (R&D).

During his visit to Shanghai in March 2024, Cook reiterated the company's long-term commitment to the Chinese market when he opened Apple's biggest retail store on the Chinese mainland, according to Xinhua.

As one of this year's latest moves, Apple announced on its official website in February that Apple's AI system Apple Intelligence will soon be available in more languages including simplified Chinese. The launch time of Apple Intelligence in China is subject to the approval of the regulatory authorities, it said.

"Cook's visit to China shows Apple's commitment to strengthening the relationship with Chinese partners, gaining an in-depth understanding of the dynamics of the Chinese market, and exploring future cooperation opportunities," Wang Peng, an associate research fellow at the Beijing Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Sunday.

Alibaba co-founder and Chairman Joe Tsai said at the World Governments Summit 2025 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates in February that Alibaba is cooperating with Apple to support the US company's mobile services.

According to a video posted by China News Service, when asked if he had ever used DeepSeek, Cook said on the sidelines of the CDF on Sunday "Of course. It's great."

The development of artificial intelligence in China has brought remarkable opportunities for tech companies like Apple, Wang said. "Apple's cooperation with Chinese enterprises will help it better integrate into the Chinese market and leverage the advantageous resources of Chinese firms to drive technological innovation and product R&D. This will enable Apple to enhance its product competitiveness, meet the diverse needs of Chinese consumers and maintain a leading position in the global market," Wang said.